An Australian television presenter has apologised for slurring her words during a live broadcast from the Winter Olympics, admitting that she had ‘had a drink’ before going on-air.
Producers of the Australian breakfast programme Today had cut to Mason standing outside in a snowstorm in Livigno to deliver an update on how the Aussie athletes’ overnight performances.
Mason began to ramble about the price of coffee in Italy before bizarrely going on to make a bizarre comment about iguanas.
‘The price of coffee over here is actually fine…’ Mason said on the live segment.
‘It’s actually the price of coffee in the US we have to get used to… I’m not sure about the iguanas? Where are we going with that one?
‘Anyway, let’s get into today’s sport because there’s plenty happening back home…’
Mason then went on to speak on the Brisbane Broncos who have travelled to the UK to take on Super League champions Hull KR in the World Club Challenge match, which takes place on Thursday evening.
Mason slurred her words during the segment, before going on to do a snow angel in the powder behind her.
Today show hosts Karl Stefanovic and Jayne Azzopardi, back in the studio in Australia, noted that Mason had stumbled over some of her sentences and claimed that the chilly conditions out in Livigno had made it difficult to speak.
‘There is such a cold wind, you can’t actually move your lips,’ Stefanovic claimed.
Mason has since apologised for the bizarre moment during another live crossover on Thursday evening from Livigno.
After talking through the day’s events, the Australian presenter took a moment to acknowledge Wednesday’s segment, stating she had ‘misjudged the situation’ before adding that the conditions, altitude and not having dinner ‘didn’t help’.
‘And guys, just before we do go, I just want to take a moment if that’s okay, just to apologise,’ she began.
‘I also wanted to say thank you to everyone who has reached out. I’m okay. Probably just a little bit embarrassed.
‘Look, I totally misjudged the situation. I shouldn’t have had a drink. And especially in these conditions, it’s cold. We’ve got altitude. And not having had dinner probably didn’t help as well.
‘But I want to take full responsibility. It’s not the standard that I set for myself.
‘So in saying that, I am genuinely sorry.’
Today show host Stefanovic, who had made a drunken appearance on the programme after the 2009 Logies, praised Mason for her admirable apology.
‘I don’t even know what you’re talking about,’ Stefanovic said.
‘You’re the best, Danika. Don’t worry about it. Let’s move on.’
Many, including the Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, have rallied to support Mason following her apology.
Speaking on Nova 100’s Jase & Lauren Show on Thursday, the PM said: ‘I’m pro Danika! Good on her!
‘She’s over in Italy… and she would have been tired.
‘It’s the time difference – would have been having an impact.’
More to follow…
